Subdivision 1. Voting equipment grant account. A voting equipment grant is established to provide grants to counties, cities, and towns. Funds are available until spent.

Subdivision 2. Authorized equipment. A county, city, or town may apply for a grant to purchase or lease electronic rosters after July 1, 2017. A county, city, or town may apply to be reimbursed for electronic rosters purchased before July 1, 2017. Grant funds cannot be used for maintenance or repair.

Subdivision 3. Amount of grant. A county, city, or town is eligible to receive up to half of the total cost of the purchase or lease of electronic roster equipment. Grants are first awarded to local governments that are purchasing or leasing new equipment. If funds remain, then grants may be made to reimburse local governments for past purchases or leases.

Subdivision 4. Application for grant; certification of costs. A county, city, or town may apply to the secretary of state for a grant. The application must include the total cost of the purchase or lease, how the local share will be paid, the plan to address long-term costs, and other information required by the secretary of state. The secretary of state will establish a deadline for submitting grants. The secretary of state will also establish a procedure for awarding grants, the criteria for distribution of grants if funds do not completely cover the costs, and a process to verify that the grants are properly used.

Subdivision 5. Report to legislature. By January 15, 2018, the secretary of state must report to the legislature on grants awarded. A report must be submitted annually until all appropriated funds are spent.

Section 2. Voting equipment grant account. $15,000,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2018 from the general fund to the secretary of state for the grants in section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.